Cujo
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Yeah, the way things have shaken out, I'm ok with Robinson so long as he doesn't get a 2nd contract.
**2023 Cowboys Pre-Draft Thread**
- Thread starter mcnuttz
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Yeah, the way things have shaken out, I'm ok with Robinson so long as he doesn't get a 2nd contract.
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Yep, you just have to view it the same way you would if you traded a first round pick for a 26 year old player. You've got 5 years of the guys prime starting now, so make it worthwhile.
Kind of sucks for RBs that their best years are used up getting paid peanuts. Every other position they are basically in their prime after those 4 or 5 years. What that means to me is if you're taking a RB in the first round you need to be close to competing for a Superbowl. Otherwise you're wasting years on that RB. It's why RB still kind of works in the late first but would be dumb if you lost enough to pick top 10-15
ravidubey
DCC 4Life
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Yes, that’s my biggest concern tttt.
You’d expect NFL-ready backs to have utterly destroyed college competition or to have clearly risen to the top of the depth chart.
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What position will the Cowboys most likely address in the NFL Draft’s first round?
By Jon Machota
6h ago
The first round has been difficult to predict for the Cowboys during Mike McCarthy’s time as head coach.
They needed defense in 2020, and despite DE K’Lavon Chaisson still being available at Pick 17, WR CeeDee Lamb was the choice. In 2021, most mock drafts suggested that the 10th pick would be a cornerback like Patrick Surtain or Jaycee Horn, or even an offensive lineman like Rashawn Slater. The Cowboys ended up trading back two spots and taking edge rusher Micah Parsons. At this time last year, very few mock drafts were even suggesting OL Tyler Smith at Pick 24. Center Tyler Linderbaum, DE Jermaine Johnson, LB Devin Lloyd and DE George Karlaftis all seemed like better bets.
Picking at 26 later this month makes it even more difficult to pinpoint a likely prospect or two. So instead of just focusing on a few names, let’s take a look at the positions that seem most likely to be addressed when the Cowboys go on the clock.
We’ll start with the most unlikely: quarterback, safety, linebacker, offensive tackle and running back.
Dak Prescott is the franchise quarterback and the team has shown no interest in going in another direction. Donovan Wilson, Jayron Kearse, Malik Hooker and Israel Mukuamu make safety arguably the team’s deepest position. If they were to draft a linebacker at 26 this year, it would likely be a player who is more of a pass rusher than a traditional inside linebacker. We included the pass-rusher types with the defensive line. Between Tyler Smith, Tyron Smith and Terence Steele, the Cowboys are in a good spot at offensive tackle.
https://theathletic.com/4363032/2023/03/30/cowboys-nfl-mock-draft/
Running back only seems in play if Texas’ Bijan Robinson falls to them. He’s clearly the best back in this class and one worthy of that pick. It’s unlikely that there’s another back this year that the Cowboys would think has close to the same value. Running back should be addressed at some point, but if it’s not Robinson, it probably won’t be at 26.
Here are the most probable positions, in order of least likely to most likely.
Cornerback
Before the trade for Stephon Gilmore, this was more of a possibility. But combining Gilmore with Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland and Jourdan Lewis means it’s not as much of a priority. Gilmore and Lewis might not be around in 2024, so looking into the future isn’t a bad idea if the best player available on their board is a cornerback. Since Jerry Jones purchased the team in 1989, the Cowboys have used five first-round picks on cornerbacks: Byron Jones (2015), Morris Claiborne (2012), Mike Jenkins (2008), Terence Newman (2003), Kevin Smith (1992).
Players who could be there at 26: Devon Witherspoon, Illinois; Deonte Banks, Maryland; Kelee Ringo, Georgia, Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State.
Steve Avila (79) (Reese Strickland / USA Today)
Interior offensive line
Left guard is probably the biggest hole on the roster. But will a player be there at 26 that the Cowboys feel is worthy of that spot? They view recently signed free agent Chuma Edoga as a potential left guard. They have also looked into the possibility of having Steele get some work there. It makes a lot more sense to address the position somewhere in the second or third round of this draft. It would also make sense to get a player who has the position flex to be the backup center. The Cowboys have been excellent at drafting offensive linemen in the first round. Their recent resume includes Tyler Smith, Zack Martin, Travis Frederick and Tyron Smith.
Players who could be there at 26: O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida; Steve Avila, TCU.
Tight end
Dalton Schultz leaving in free agency has made this a popular pick for the Cowboys among mock drafts. But several factors make this position a little less likely than some might think. The Cowboys could definitely use another starting-caliber tight end, but they like what they have in Jake Ferguson, Peyton Hendershot and Sean McKeon. This is also a very deep tight end class. They could end up feeling like there isn’t a huge gap between a tight end they could get in the first round as one they could land in the second. The tight end position also hasn’t had a lot of first-round success over the last 15 years. And then several of the NFL’s top tight ends weren’t even drafted in the first two rounds. Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews and Dawson Knox were third-round picks. George Kittle was drafted in the fifth round. Dallas has not drafted a tight end in the first round since David LaFleur in 1997. The Packers never drafted a tight end in the first round during McCarthy’s 13 seasons in Green Bay.
Players who could be there at 26: Michael Mayer, Notre Dame; Dalton Kincaid, Utah; Darnell Washington, Georgia; Luke Musgrave, Oregon State.
Wide receiver
Before the trade for Brandin Cooks, this would have been in the top spot. If the season started today, Dallas’ top four wide receivers would be Lamb, Cooks, Michael Gallup and Jalen Tolbert. Teams need at least four quality players at the position. If the right player is there, it still makes sense at 26. Another factor here is that there really isn’t anything close to a consensus on how these receivers stack up. How the Cowboys have the group ranked will probably be different from other teams. Maybe they go on the clock at 26 and one of the top two wide receivers on their board is still there. It’s difficult to argue with that being the pick. Wide receivers Jones has drafted in the first round: Lamb (2020), Dez Bryant (2010) and Alvin Harper (1991).
Players who could be there at 26: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State; Jordan Addison, USC; Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee; Quentin Johnston, TCU; Zay Flowers, Boston College.
Defensive line
There’s some overlap here because this really includes two position groups, edge rushers and defensive tackles. Defensive tackle is arguably Dallas’ biggest need. Edge rusher probably isn’t in the top five, but the position is so valuable and teams can’t have enough. If the right edge rusher is there, the Cowboys won’t be concerned with already having Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Sam Williams, Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler. The reason this group tops the list is because there’s a decent chance that an intriguing edge rusher or tackle falls to Pick 26. And if that’s the case, the Cowboys’ roster is set up so that they can take the best player available.
Players who could be there at 26: DE Nolan Smith, Georgia; DT Bryan Bresee, Clemson; DT Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh; DE Keion White, Georgia Tech; DT Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern; DE Will McDonald, Iowa State; DT Mazi Smith, Michigan.
By Jon Machota
6h ago
The first round has been difficult to predict for the Cowboys during Mike McCarthy’s time as head coach.
They needed defense in 2020, and despite DE K’Lavon Chaisson still being available at Pick 17, WR CeeDee Lamb was the choice. In 2021, most mock drafts suggested that the 10th pick would be a cornerback like Patrick Surtain or Jaycee Horn, or even an offensive lineman like Rashawn Slater. The Cowboys ended up trading back two spots and taking edge rusher Micah Parsons. At this time last year, very few mock drafts were even suggesting OL Tyler Smith at Pick 24. Center Tyler Linderbaum, DE Jermaine Johnson, LB Devin Lloyd and DE George Karlaftis all seemed like better bets.
Picking at 26 later this month makes it even more difficult to pinpoint a likely prospect or two. So instead of just focusing on a few names, let’s take a look at the positions that seem most likely to be addressed when the Cowboys go on the clock.
We’ll start with the most unlikely: quarterback, safety, linebacker, offensive tackle and running back.
Dak Prescott is the franchise quarterback and the team has shown no interest in going in another direction. Donovan Wilson, Jayron Kearse, Malik Hooker and Israel Mukuamu make safety arguably the team’s deepest position. If they were to draft a linebacker at 26 this year, it would likely be a player who is more of a pass rusher than a traditional inside linebacker. We included the pass-rusher types with the defensive line. Between Tyler Smith, Tyron Smith and Terence Steele, the Cowboys are in a good spot at offensive tackle.
https://theathletic.com/4363032/2023/03/30/cowboys-nfl-mock-draft/
Running back only seems in play if Texas’ Bijan Robinson falls to them. He’s clearly the best back in this class and one worthy of that pick. It’s unlikely that there’s another back this year that the Cowboys would think has close to the same value. Running back should be addressed at some point, but if it’s not Robinson, it probably won’t be at 26.
Here are the most probable positions, in order of least likely to most likely.
Cornerback
Before the trade for Stephon Gilmore, this was more of a possibility. But combining Gilmore with Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland and Jourdan Lewis means it’s not as much of a priority. Gilmore and Lewis might not be around in 2024, so looking into the future isn’t a bad idea if the best player available on their board is a cornerback. Since Jerry Jones purchased the team in 1989, the Cowboys have used five first-round picks on cornerbacks: Byron Jones (2015), Morris Claiborne (2012), Mike Jenkins (2008), Terence Newman (2003), Kevin Smith (1992).
Players who could be there at 26: Devon Witherspoon, Illinois; Deonte Banks, Maryland; Kelee Ringo, Georgia, Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State.
Steve Avila (79) (Reese Strickland / USA Today)
Interior offensive line
Left guard is probably the biggest hole on the roster. But will a player be there at 26 that the Cowboys feel is worthy of that spot? They view recently signed free agent Chuma Edoga as a potential left guard. They have also looked into the possibility of having Steele get some work there. It makes a lot more sense to address the position somewhere in the second or third round of this draft. It would also make sense to get a player who has the position flex to be the backup center. The Cowboys have been excellent at drafting offensive linemen in the first round. Their recent resume includes Tyler Smith, Zack Martin, Travis Frederick and Tyron Smith.
Players who could be there at 26: O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida; Steve Avila, TCU.
Tight end
Dalton Schultz leaving in free agency has made this a popular pick for the Cowboys among mock drafts. But several factors make this position a little less likely than some might think. The Cowboys could definitely use another starting-caliber tight end, but they like what they have in Jake Ferguson, Peyton Hendershot and Sean McKeon. This is also a very deep tight end class. They could end up feeling like there isn’t a huge gap between a tight end they could get in the first round as one they could land in the second. The tight end position also hasn’t had a lot of first-round success over the last 15 years. And then several of the NFL’s top tight ends weren’t even drafted in the first two rounds. Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews and Dawson Knox were third-round picks. George Kittle was drafted in the fifth round. Dallas has not drafted a tight end in the first round since David LaFleur in 1997. The Packers never drafted a tight end in the first round during McCarthy’s 13 seasons in Green Bay.
Players who could be there at 26: Michael Mayer, Notre Dame; Dalton Kincaid, Utah; Darnell Washington, Georgia; Luke Musgrave, Oregon State.
Wide receiver
Before the trade for Brandin Cooks, this would have been in the top spot. If the season started today, Dallas’ top four wide receivers would be Lamb, Cooks, Michael Gallup and Jalen Tolbert. Teams need at least four quality players at the position. If the right player is there, it still makes sense at 26. Another factor here is that there really isn’t anything close to a consensus on how these receivers stack up. How the Cowboys have the group ranked will probably be different from other teams. Maybe they go on the clock at 26 and one of the top two wide receivers on their board is still there. It’s difficult to argue with that being the pick. Wide receivers Jones has drafted in the first round: Lamb (2020), Dez Bryant (2010) and Alvin Harper (1991).
Players who could be there at 26: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State; Jordan Addison, USC; Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee; Quentin Johnston, TCU; Zay Flowers, Boston College.
Defensive line
There’s some overlap here because this really includes two position groups, edge rushers and defensive tackles. Defensive tackle is arguably Dallas’ biggest need. Edge rusher probably isn’t in the top five, but the position is so valuable and teams can’t have enough. If the right edge rusher is there, the Cowboys won’t be concerned with already having Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Sam Williams, Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler. The reason this group tops the list is because there’s a decent chance that an intriguing edge rusher or tackle falls to Pick 26. And if that’s the case, the Cowboys’ roster is set up so that they can take the best player available.
Players who could be there at 26: DE Nolan Smith, Georgia; DT Bryan Bresee, Clemson; DT Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh; DE Keion White, Georgia Tech; DT Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern; DE Will McDonald, Iowa State; DT Mazi Smith, Michigan.
Chocolate Lab
Mere Commoner
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The latest Zierlein mock has us taking Johnston at 26. Would anyone have a problem with that?
www.nfl.com
Lance Zierlein 2023 NFL mock draft 3.0: Ravens select C.J. Stroud after trade; Patriots pick QB
In his third mock of the 2023 NFL Draft, Lance Zierlein projects the Texans will pass on taking a quarterback at No. 2 and the Ravens will trade Lamar Jackson to the Colts, shaking up the outlook for Round 1.
www.nfl.com
Simpleton
DCC 4Life
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I'd prefer to go elsewhere but I wouldn't hate it.The latest Zierlein mock has us taking Johnston at 26. Would anyone have a problem with that?
Lance Zierlein 2023 NFL mock draft 3.0: Ravens select C.J. Stroud after trade; Patriots pick QB
In his third mock of the 2023 NFL Draft, Lance Zierlein projects the Texans will pass on taking a quarterback at No. 2 and the Ravens will trade Lamar Jackson to the Colts, shaking up the outlook for Round 1.
He'd be a real test of how good the WR coach is since he has lots of unrefined talent but needs to be polished up in terms of route running and hands/concentration.
Chocolate Lab
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He does seem boom/bust-y but it would be fun having someone so young with his upside. I'd love it even though I'd be a little nervous about it.
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I'm good with it but of the top guys he does make me a little nervous.The latest Zierlein mock has us taking Johnston at 26. Would anyone have a problem with that?
Lance Zierlein 2023 NFL mock draft 3.0: Ravens select C.J. Stroud after trade; Patriots pick QB
In his third mock of the 2023 NFL Draft, Lance Zierlein projects the Texans will pass on taking a quarterback at No. 2 and the Ravens will trade Lamar Jackson to the Colts, shaking up the outlook for Round 1.
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If we want a RAC guy, I don’t think he is it.
GShock
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This seems significant.
bbgun
please don't "dur" me
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or a wideout, for that matter
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I'm honestly not sure how much McCarthy is really influencing this draft. But yeah I feel like those Packers teams loved the second/third round WR types.
bbgun
please don't "dur" me
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It helps when you coach for a team that doesn't have a formal owner.
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I am doing a weird mock where I am each team and I pretty much attack their greatest need (from what I see, not the media).
You get this draft rolling out, who do you want?
You get this draft rolling out, who do you want?
| 1ST ROUND | |||
| Carolina Panthers | Stroud, C.J.* | QB | Ohio State |
| Houston Texans | Young, Bryce* | QB | Alabama |
| Arizona Cardinals | Anderson, Will* | DE | Alabama |
| Indianapolis Colts | Richardson, Anthony* | QB | Florida |
| Seattle Seahawks | Carter, Jalen* | DT | Georgia |
| Detroit Lions | Gonzalez, Christian* | CB | Oregon |
| Las Vegas Raiders | Witherspoon, Devon | CB | Illinois |
| Atlanta Falcons | Robinson, Bijan* | RB | Texas |
| Chicago Bears | Wilson, Tyree | DE | Texas Tech |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Smith, Nolan | DE | Georgia |
| Tennessee Titans | Jones, Broderick* | OT | Georgia |
| Houston Texans | Smith-Njigba, Jaxon* | WR | Ohio State |
| New York Jets | Ringo, Kelee* | CB | Georgia |
| New England Patriots | Addison, Jordan | WR | USC |
| Green Bay Packers | Kincaid, Dalton | TE | Utah |
| Washington Commanders | Wright, Darnell | OT | Tennessee |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Skoronski, Peter* | OT | Northwestern |
| Detroit Lions | Mayer, Michael* | TE | Notre Dame |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Levis, Will | QB | Kentucky |
| Seattle Seahawks | Schmitz, John Michael | C | Minnesota |
| Los Angeles Chargers | Johnston, Quentin | WR | Texas Christian |
| Baltimore Ravens | Flowers, Zay | WR | Boston College |
| Minnesota Vikings | Smith, Cam* | CB | South Carolina |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Smith, Mazi* | DT | Michigan |
| New York Giants | Forbes, Emmanuel | CB | Mississippi State |
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Unless someone reaches on him in the Top 10, I just don't see it.
I went with each team with each pick that made sense. I cannot be responsible for insanity.
And there will be some trades in little pockets.
bbgun
please don't "dur" me
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Baldy attended his workout. Just sayin'
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